Are You Crazy?

Are you praying and meditating daily? If not, what could possibly be of more importance? Living on the Spiritual Basis requires consistent effort, so pick up pen and paper right now and list the reasons why you are resistant to meditation and prayer, I’ll wait…....

Looking at them in black and white; they are pretty weak, aren’t they? Especially when you consider you have been choosing excuses over a closer relationship with God! If a rich benefactor approached you and the only requirement for consistent access to their fortune and help was exercising a few minutes every day, would you find excuses not to work out? Considering you get to decide when to exercise and how, intensity not the goal, just consistency and all your financial needs vanish, permanently, would you hesitate? If you met someone with this kind of arraignment who then started lamenting all the reasons (remember your list) why working out consistently was “hard”, how would you respond (see title)?

The choice is always ours. We can live on the spiritual basis or visit it. To be clear: If we wait for trouble to come to pray, God will still hear our prayers and act to our benefit, the difference between living in the light and running to it in fear is the wear and tear we place on ourselves. Trouble comes for all, the rain falls on the just and unjust equally, and consistent prayer and meditation prepares us for those times, providing us with serenity to meet calamity. So what are you waiting for? Daily prayer and meditation demonstrates willingness, willingness the foot soldier of faith, faith the buffer that smooths the road, the road of Happy Destiny.

 Zen, Wayne Dyer, The Secret, Source, Scientific Prayer, NOTW, ODAAT, Emmet Fox, ACIM,

Ladders, Leaping and Camels

“There is only one way to make spiritual progress…prayer." So the question is not what to do but how to do it. “If your intuitive nature is well developed, you will seldom need to use formal statements at all. This is excellent-for who will trouble to climb a ladder when he is strong enough to leap over the wall?." Living on the Spiritual Basis a constant conscious contact with God is the goal. However, few of us always feel the connection. Remember the camel's nose? Our connection typically dims when we fail to see the camel’s nose (fear) slip under the tent flap (our consciousness) until it is too late. Since a camel has no reverse, once its head is in, it is coming in all the way.

So if you find yourself staring a camel in the eye familiar structured prayers are a life saver. Kinda like that old friend who is always there when you need them. The Lord’s Prayer, the powerful “Be still and know that I am God”, the Serenity prayer are some of the old friends that quickly come to mind. The one thing I would suggest, that always works, is keep it simple. God already knows what is in our heart and exactly what we need before we need it, so simple heart filled prayers have great power. Remember, God is always present for it is His nature. When we lose sight of Him it is because we closed our eyes, prayer restores our sight and soon we are leaping again.

Matrix Of All Matter

        Everything is comprised of energy. Not just energized, but comprised of it. The chair you are sitting on. The monitor you are looking at or the paper you are reading this on. The air you are breathing, you, everything. Max Planck, winner of the Nobel Prize for physics wrote: “All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter.” In the last three decades science has observed what Max Planck could only postulate nearly a hundred years ago to be true. The importance of this so profound the largest machine ever constructed by man, the 17 mile long Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was built to investigate these particles.

         Living on the Spiritual Basis the intelligence that exists through out creation is accepted and understood by faith. Tools like the LHC for exploring the micro or the Hubble telescope the macro perhaps will help those who doubt the existence of a Power Greater Than Themselves to have a bit more of an open mind, but that is left to them. Having found the great reality deep within, Living on the Spiritual Basis the truth in living has become operative through demonstration. In those moments of fear and doubt that come for all, we have learned to quietly turn to Source for our salvation and answers, tapping into that power, the energy that exists all around us, within and without; to do what it knows is necessary to bring us to freedom. Living on the Spiritual Basis we have learned through experience to apply Infinite Power, the mind that is the matrix of all matter, in our lives, guarantying freedom and success from and over all difficulties.   

Our Perfection Realized

        Ever bowl a perfect game? Pitch a perfect game? Have 13 tricks no trump in Bridge? How about 21 in blackjack? A spade Royal Flush? When we start cataloging “perfection” it is a pretty short list all things considered, but what of spiritual perfection? Many religions hang their collective spiritual hats on an imperfect dogma of perfection; that we are imperfect at birth and though we should strive for perfection we will always fall short, requiring leadership and earthly direction from others for our ultimate salvation. To be clear: Religion and religious teaching and guidance have been indispensable in mankind’s climb up the ladder of Spiritual consciousness, but just as the student who must eventually graduate and take their place in the world, building on what they have learned by turning knowledge into demonstration, so must each of us in our relationship with Our Father.

      Just as families have difficulties from time to time, usually rooted in misunderstanding, intercession of a professional can be helpful to work through an issue, to provide fresh perspective. In the final analysis however the real work takes place between the family members, the professional merely an aid. Just as in the secular, spiritually we make use of what religion and spiritual teachers provide and are quick to see where they are right, but we must never lose sight of the true nature of our relationship with the Divine and the ultimate responsibility in raising our consciousness lies with each of us.

      By a wholehearted reliance on A Power Greater Than Ourselves, though none of us will ever be perfect in faith for fear is a powerful foe and the true adversary, perfection comes into view. As our awareness grows, coupled with demonstration, our willingness to pray demonstrates the perfection in seeking, so by consistently relying on the infinite rather than the finite through prayer, our individual consciousness rises, as does all of mankind’s, for everything and everyone are connected in Spirit.  So once again, in ultimate truth, Let there be peace and let it begin with me.

The One True Answer

        As we live and learn, practicing our new way of life; Living on the Spiritual Basis, not only our perspective but our actions begin to change naturally. We begin to act from love, from God. Less and less do we see the world through the prism of the carnal, secular mind. Viewing existence through a new pair of glasses, we have begun to experience life connected to Source instead of at odds with it. As our consciousness grows and expands the truth of the power of love becomes more apparent. Love is God, God is love and love is always the answer. Through the process of Living on the Spiritual Basis we have established a conscious contact with God, so when faced with any difficulty, problem or trouble the realization of God’s love and Divine presence will not only solve or correct the situation but remove it. Clearly this new way of living develops over time, so if our first thought is not always about God, do not be discouraged. When we become aware that we haven’t yet turned to God in a particular instance, we do so as soon as the awareness surfaces, and be gentle, under no circumstance do we allow our internal dialogue to turn negative. This is not a race, we are already in eternity and negative thoughts about our progress are always counter productive.

Prayer Is Always The Answer

I have not always prayed. Sure, there were those furtive pleas of “please let me pass this (math, English, history, etc) test”, “please stop the room from spinning” (if you have never said this prayer, I hope you never have too), “please, don’t let her be pregnant, I promise to use a condom from now on”, you know, the get me out of this and I promise to be good/change prayers.

Prayer changed for me when I found myself facing a self-imposed crisis that I could no longer evade or avoid. With no place and no one left to turn to I was driven to my knees and said my first, of what has since become many, honest prayers: “God help me.”

Did a light shine down or angels pick me up and carry me away in that moment? Perfect enlightenment and the solution to all my difficulties presented on a silver platter? Nope, but the soul crushing weight I was under did lessen enough so I could breathe.

Many years have passed since that first honest prayer, and though far from perfect in prayer, I have watched prayer work miracles of healing in my life and countless others. Today I live in the absolute certainty of the Power of Prayer, when speaking to those unconvinced of prayers efficacy I offer: “If I could only show you the world through my eyes and experience, you too would be convinced, by demonstration, that Prayer Is Always The Answer.”

FLOATING EMBERS

Living at raised levels of consciousness our harshest critic is always ourselves. As our awareness rises, we naturally hold ourselves to higher and higher levels of conduct, not only in demonstration but also in the very thoughts that surface in our mind! No one who steps, by choice, on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis has control over the thoughts that float up into their awareness. No one. What we do have is a tool kit, a spiritual tool kit, so that when negative or destructive thoughts materialize in our minds eye we address them in the light of raised consciousness. The mistake routinely made is one of comparison. Somehow, the thought is born that we should be further along the path, that these thoughts are in someway an indication of lack of progress on our part. Nonsense. A cloudy day is just a cloudy day unless we decide the clouds are an indicator of impending doom. A thought only has power if we choose to empower it. Self-condemnation empowers the negative, invites into our consciousness needless suffering and restricts, stifles growth. Do not let impatience drive you to despair, to needless wear and tear in your psyche. This isn’t a race. When a “curious” thought surfaces do not waste time trying to figure out where it came from or why it appeared, for to do so opens the door to morbid reflection, which should be avoided like the plague. Upon becoming aware of the thought, gently give it over to God in directed prayer. Later in meditation, if it resurfaces because it may not, remember the cloudy day, ask God if there is anything additional He would have you see. Do not go to any lengths whatsoever to document or remember these random thoughts. Most of them will just come and go with little notice if we are diligent in applying spiritual principles as soon as they surface. Remember the lesson of the campfire ember: when a burning ember from the fire lands on our shirtsleeve if we brush it off immediately no harm will be done. If however we stop to contemplate on it the shirt will have a hole in it and a welt on our arm to mark it. The only embers we remember, the ones that caused damage, are the ones we “thought” about. With God’s help brush off those embers reflexively; remembering the sun is always shining behind the clouds.

HOW TO PRAY SCIENTIFICALLY

Praying on or “treating” a problem or difficulty is simple, but not easy. First, get quiet, do not try to control your thoughts, anyone who says they control the random thoughts that float up into our consciousness is selling a book or seminar. We do not control thoughts, what we do control is our response/action when the thought surfaces in our consciousness.

We do this by turning our attention to God, contemplating on what we know about His Love, His Guidance, and our connection to Him as Father to child. Do not under any pretext think about the issue you are treating, praying about at this time. Read a short passage from any spiritual tome that appeals to you and then take a few moments in contemplative meditation to consider what was just read. The purpose of this is to center our thoughts in God, to place our attention there, to raise our consciousness. Now take two or three breaths, breathing in deeply through the nose, exhaling through the mouth. Now claim quietly that which you need or the situation/condition requiring healing. Of paramount importance is to always ask in the affirmative. If we ask thusly: “I need” money, health, peace, serenity etc what we will demonstrate is more need. We will be affirming need, not abundance. If money or resources are lacking ask that your life be a demonstration of abundance. If it is employment, ask to be of service to God and your fellows, for the perfect position for your unique set of abilities. Health, in general, ask to demonstrate a healed and vital radiance, for a specific ill or condition ask for a healing, visualizing the body free of the condition. If the demonstration is to assist another, frame your words carefully so that only positive and affirming actions are employed. Remember, words have power. As you are making your demonstration see it from the end, as an accomplished fact and thank God for accomplishing it.  Under no condition discuss the treatment with anyone; it is between God and you alone. When you find yourself drifting back into thinking about the difficulty, and we all do, stop as soon as you become aware and give it back to God with thanks, for prayers of thanksgiving are the most powerful of all.

LONG WAY ROUND

Spiritual teachers suggest that we “think from the end” when confronted with life’s challenges. Having embarked on the path of Living on the Spiritual Basis, we now know that at the “end” the solution for every difficulty or problem is God. We can turn to God at any point along the way, but the sooner the better. Think of it this way; wherever you travel there is the shortest, most direct route; any other path is taking the long way round. Sometimes when traveling the long way round is preferable, better scenery, more interesting sights, friends along the way, etc. When suffering however this is never the case yet it is exactly what most people do! They dawdle along rehashing and retelling their story with anyone who will listen, engaging in angry recrimination while wallowing in morbid reflection. Only when we place our feet squarely on the path, raising our consciousness through prayer and meditation, resisting the temptation to outline the solution, seeking only the knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out do we triumph. God can and will solve all our problems and difficulties, if we will rely upon Him. Therefore, when troubled, take the road less traveled turning to God immediately in prayer and meditation. Avoid the “the long way round” of resentment, suffering, blame and morbid reflection but remember, if you find yourself on the wrong road, the turnoff is just a prayer away.

Day 7 of the Diet

TRANSFORMATION. Congratulations. You made it. Spend today reflecting on what you have discovered about yourself, how it has changed your perceptions. Now you can share the experience with anyone you believe would profit from it. Additionally file this tool away and bring it out anytime you feel a little spiritual boot camp is in order.


The diet has put you in touch with the Primal Power of Being. This power is what changes us. It is the motive force behind everything. It is no less than our connection, at the most basic and profound level, to the creative life force that permeates everything and everyone. That power is God.

Day 6 of the 7 Day Mental Diet

Hang in there, only 1 more day to go. Then again, you may be experiencing such profound changes in your outlook that you desire more. Today’s teaching is on love and its power, its ability to change us at the core and the unique availability of love. Love is always available, if we are willing to take action. Faith without works is dead and just as with faith, love requires action. We must build up “by faithful daily exercise the true Love Consciousness.” This is a key ingredient in our daily diet since “Love and tolerance of others is our code.”

The path of enlightenment requires work, effort on our part. We start our day by “asking each morning in meditation that our creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.” Do you start your day with meditation? No? Why not? Would you try to make a cake without flour? Drive your car missing a tire? Of course not. Meditation is an integral part of living on the Spiritual Basis. If you are not meditating daily, start at a simple level. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for a few minutes. Take 2 or 3 deep breaths slowly exhaling. With eyes closed, consider what patience, tolerance, kindliness and love mean to you. Your mind will begin to visualize images, do not fight them or try to control them. In your minds dialogue stay focused on the task at hand. When your mind wanders gently bring it back. When it wanders again end your session and thank God for knowing Him better. What could be easier? Limit your sessions to 10 to 15 minutes. This is sufficient to start the day and we can all find this amount of time if we are willing. Of course if you have the time and are moved to longer sessions, then do.

Day 4 of the 7 day mental diet

Consider: “A man is sitting by a camp fire when a red hot cinder flies out and falls on his sleeve. If he blows that cinder off at once, without a moment’s delay to consider it, no harm is done. However, if he allows it to rest for even a single moment, under any pretense, the mischief is done, and it will be a troublesome task to repair the sleeve. So it is with negative thought.” Simply stated we have no control over the thoughts that surface in our consciousness or are foisted on us by others but we do choose how we will address those thoughts. Living on the Spiritual Basis the path is clear: When we turn immediately to a Power Greater Than Ourselves in prayer as soon as we become aware of the negative, regardless of its source, we remain unharmed, our sleeves hole free. We additionally avoid the trap of morbid reflection set by trying to figure out or understand why a particular thought crossed our mind; we just take the necessary action to address it. In time, this will become second nature.

By this point in the diet you are probably experiencing some difficulties, it may feel like everything is seemingly going sideways, you have more trouble now, more spiritual discontent than when you started the diet. Outstanding! You have shaken your world at its bedrock and when the shaking stops, a new and much stronger foundation will be in place. Stay the course and under no circumstance discuss what you are doing with anyone until you are done with the diet. Onwards through the fog.

DAY 2 OF THE DIET

  Day 2: If you are still considering whether to attempt this diet, take a moment in quiet contemplation and ask yourself why? Be gentle with yourself, avoiding morbid reflection at all costs.

Beginning today start measuring the emotional tone of your thoughts, becoming aware at all times of your thoughts and how they are affecting you. When you become aware that your thoughts are wandering, and everyone’s thoughts wander for it is one of the ways our subconscious speaks to us, ask yourself quietly why you drifted into that thought and how it affected you emotionally. Often they will just be random thoughts generated because of something heard, seen or smelled in the moment so do not give into  “paralysis through analysis.” Remember, often a cloudy day is just a cloudy day, nothing more. If you find that perhaps there is more to a particular thought and you cannot take a moment now, briefly note the thought and when you have the time, reflect on it for a few moments in gentle contemplation. There is a rule here that must be obeyed. The rule is we never struggle or engage in negative appraisal of these random thoughts or our thinking. We are simply observing what floats through our mind as dispassionately as we can; this is not an exercise in judging, only in observing and noting affects.

Tanker Truck or Thimble?

“When you pray you are turning to the power of God and surely you will admit that God is omnipotent, and therefore nothing can be too difficult, or too late, or too soon for Him.” “Infinite Wisdom knows a beautiful and joyous solution to any dilemma. Do not limit the power of God for good in your life.” God is never limited, only OUR perception is limited. God is the true and only source, His abundance beyond measure, a sea of infinite size. Standing at the shore of spiritual abundance, how big is the vessel you brought to fill? A thimble? A cup? A bucket? A tanker truck? The size of our vessel is determined by limits we impose. He wants us to partake fully for we are His children and in truth His abundance is our abundance, our limitations constructed out of self-centered fear. A limited thimble or a limitless queue of tanker trucks, the choice, as always, is ours.

WT?G

“It is not when things are going well that we make our progress. It is not even when things are going wrong and yet we feel sure that we can handle them with prayer, that we advance. It is when, smitten by the temptation to discouragement or even despair, we yet stand for what we know is the Truth.” A wise man said to me years ago “there will be days when in pain, seemingly at wits end when you are going to look around and exclaim WHAT THE ? GOD! (Since this man was a Marine, I will leave it to you gentle reader to decipher ?) Having worked diligently, doing all that is indicated and yet life has gone sideways. Prayers seem to be falling on deaf ears and meditation has lost its savor. Negative analysis leads inexorably to wallowing in morbid reflection. Everything is turning from light to dark. Then the deadly thought surfaces: What’s the point? We placed our trust in God and He has seemingly abandoned us at the worst possible moment. We have lost perspective. The reality that we are eternal, that this is just one day in a very long existence, that we are living in eternity has drifted from focus. Dwelling on the false belief that this time nothing will change, the dark only becoming darker, we feel adrift, alone and unloved. Perhaps even so far as to entertain doubts about even the existence of God and all the destructive thinking this path leads to.

We begin our trip back from the brink with the simple recitation of possibly the most powerful prayer of all: Be still and know that I am God. And wait. What an order. The times when the only action is non-action, allowing God to work are the hardest. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15). We must hold to the truth that God is either everything or else he is nothing. He either is or isn’t, no middle ground, no areas of gray. So when our perspective drifts and negative analysis tries to rule the day we must lean even harder on Him who loves us unconditionally, who has all knowledge and power and it begins with: Be still and know that I am God. And wait. Simple, but not easy, how is that for understatement. Peace.

Bacon Avocado Cheeseburgers and God

    We look in the mirror or step on the scale and the evidence is undeniable, so we decide to take action. We embark on a diet and/or an exercise program with conviction and high hopes. What happens? When the hoped for changes don’t materialize in a week or two our determination begins to waver and we begin to drift back into old familiar habits. It is rather optimistic to expect long established habits of eating and marginal exercise would melt away in days but we do just the same. Diet book publishers and Gyms make their living off New Years resolutions. Hopeful individuals sign up for that special yearly or lifetime rate, they drag themselves to the gym for a few weeks until the “reasons” for not going begin to surface. They promise themselves for the next few weeks that tomorrow/next week they will go back, until finally the only reminder is the recurring automatic monthly dues withdrawal.

    Entire industries are based on providing NEW, FRESH and above all QUICK and EASY answers to life’s vexing questions. Whether it is addiction, debt, problem children, obesity, lack of exercise, misaligned spine or….there is no end to the get fixed quick schemes out there. Who wouldn’t want to lose weight while eating all they want with no exercise or exercise 20 minutes a day 3 times a week and in 90 days have the butt and abs of a Greek God or hang upside down for a few minutes and solve their back problems or buy a book and set of tapes for only 3 payments of $39.99 that will magically make an unruly teenager behave etc. All come of course with money back guarantees, make sure you keep all original packaging, shipping and handling not included.

    When someone begins searching for answers spiritually they naturally gravitate to whatever is new and available at the moment. There is no end to the authors offering new and improved paths to enlightenment. How many spiritual tomes do you own or have paged through? From where I sit as I write this I count three shelves worth and I know I have more stacked elsewhere. The one constant I have gleaned from all of them is there are no shortcuts to enlightenment. The truth being a lifetime of self-based thinking is not going to disappear overnight, it requires real, consistent effort if we wish to progress spiritually. To Live on the Spiritual Basis and embrace a new way of living and thinking is a life long endeavor. The good news is we only need to tackle it one day at a time. By consistent right action, prayer, meditation and service in time we break old habits of thought and action, replacing them with a reliance on God’s love and direction. This is not an overnight matter, it should continue for our lifetime. 

    Exercise and healthy eating habits improve the quality of this life but no matter how long or consistently we exercise, regardless of how or what we eat, this flesh will fail. Living on the Spiritual Basis today pays forward dividends into eternity for: We are not finite human beings in search of spirituality. We are eternal spiritual beings experiencing the human condition, miraculously. Oh, and I firmly believe bacon avocado cheeseburgers and chili cheese fries are godly inspired, just sayin.

 

FAST FOOD GOD

     The foundational principle of reaping and sowing is at the heart of Living on the Spiritual Basis, unfortunately many pay it a nodding acceptance and then fail to demonstrate. The planting of a crop does not merely begin with the sowing of seeds. Clearing the land, soil preparation, purchase of supplies, scheduling labor etc along with a myriad of smaller details is required before planting ever begins. Additionally, after the seeds are planted vigilance and nurturing are necessary to assure a successful harvest. In short, conscientious labor and patience is required from start to finish.

    Spiritually, the curious concept of a “fast food” God is at the heart of the dilemma. Many, albeit most, when trouble comes or a difficulty arises wish to simply stop at the speaker/microphone, place their order (prayer), pull up to the window and receive their boon (demonstration), having done nominal spiritual work along the way. Having allowed the fields of their consciousness to lay mostly fallow, where wild resentment, fear and morbid reflection thrive unchecked; they wonder why they fail to demonstrate, why the meal has no savor.

    God can and does act immediately when warranted, however it requires time, patience and labor for the true crop, the lasting crop of raised spiritual consciousness to grow. We till in the fields of our consciousness, our implements prayer and meditation, our seed love and guidance from a Power Greater Than Ourselves, our consciousness watered and fed with consistency, willingness, service and an open heart. The promise is that if we steadfastly, in the face of fear and contrary thought, work to clear our fields of the negative and poisonous, sow and tend the crop we truly desire, we will reap in great measure, the storehouse of our consciousness overflowing with poise, peace and true purpose.

Multitasking and God

     When we pray and meditate we are visiting with God. What could possibly be more important in our lives than the time we spend with Our Father? Yet many pray by rote, failing to infuse their prayers with feeling, attempting to meditate while unfocused, is it any surprise then when they fail to demonstrate? Remember reaping and sowing? What would happen to the farmer if he approached his fields in this manner? Tilling the ground with disinterest, the rows uneven and of inconsistent depth, planting seeds while thinking about other things, his mind wandering, letting them fall where they may, then watering and tending his crop with little regard for the seeds welfare or working to insure a successful harvest, merely going through the motions because he is “supposed” to, it’s what a farmer does. Would anyone be surprised when the crop fails?
  
    Unfortunately many pray and meditate in this manner and then are perplexed when they fail to demonstrate. Instead of focusing on the spiritual work before them, they rush through, fit it in, pray while thinking about everything but God, even going as far as to “meditate” while driving, yes I have had students attempt to sell me the idea that they can meditate while driving! Multitasking and God do not mix, ever.

    The greatest sermon we will ever give is the one we give by our actions. What could possibly be more important in our lives than the time we spend with Our Father? The world is a cacophony of noise and competing voices vying for our attention, the still quiet voice within waits patiently for us and stands ready to deliver if we will but eschew the world and address the miraculous within with our undivided attention. Few are situated were they have the gift of time to spend many minutes or perhaps even hours in prayer and meditation, yet we all have time to do the things we “want” to do. Make your time with the Divine “want” time, not “duty” or “supposed to” time.

   When we approach God wholeheartedly, just as the farmer who plants and tends his fields with interest and care, we will reap as we have sown, a magnificent crop indeed.

FALSE WITNESS

     The “false witness” in our consciousness afflicts everyone from time to time. When this voice chimes in it never brings good or positive news, instead it strives to fill us with fear and doubt. You know the voice; it’s the one that consistently points to the negative, the down side; we are too old or too young, it’s too hard or there’s no time/it will take too long, we are not good enough or smart/educated enough, we don’t deserve it or what will they think? Somebody probably already thought of it or tried it and failed and anyway success is really all about luck or connections, so why try. In short it opens the mental pitfalls of morbid reflection to sabotage us, to turn us from trust to despair, from the light to darkness, the demoralizing darkness of the bondage of self.

   Emmet Fox wrote, “Verily, doubt and fear are the cruelest things that can come into the life of man.” To be clear: The shadows are always there, seeking purchase in our consciousness, beckoning us with their cruel lies. By living on the new basis, The Spiritual Basis, we choose to reject the shadows of fear and doubt, instead embracing God’s light and love.

   The false witness is a persistent tireless foe, so when we become aware of the cold shadow of fear and doubt settling down, we gently turn to prayer, affirming God’s salvation, meditating on the Truth of Being, placing ourselves squarely in the sunlight of the Spirit. By stepping out in faith, praising the one true Source in this manner we banish the cold shadows of morbid reflection creeping into our consciousness, one psychic assault at a time.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

    Recipes are typically associated with cooking. However virtually everything in life has a “recipe.” Plastics are very different in their compositions; concrete and mortar have many specific “recipes” for different applications. The paper used in envelopes is a different recipe than printer paper or fine stationary. No cook, builder or manufacturer would leave out an ingredient or add something destructive and expect the final product to embody the qualities or flavor they were striving for, yet is that not exactly what many do spiritually? Remember reaping and sowing?

    To restate the classic teaching: If we wish to be loved, first we must demonstrate love. If we desire respect, first we must be respectful. If we wish to be known as honorable, we must treat all with honor, regardless of station or how disagreeable they may be. 

   Living on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis, love and anger do not mix, sarcasm, mockery and disdain are not found in the same bowl with respect, and honor and gossip are never found together.

   So, just for today, bless and say a prayer for that inconsiderate driver crossing your path, return a smile when greeted with a grimace. Refuse to engage in gossip, regardless of how juicy it may be. Give a dollar and a smile to someone needy, without comment, except God bless. In short treat everyone in the same manner you wish to be treated in, saluting the Divine in all, regardless of station, economic status or whether you like or agree with them. Employ this recipe and you cannot fail to succeed spiritually.